Chapter 18
OWEN
“And here are the keys to your new home.” My realtor hands me the fob with the miniature hockey puck on the keychain. “The previous owners thought that would be a fun touch. They are so happy to have sold their home to a single dad who’s a Champion and a friend of the Bradfords.”
“They’re nice folks.” I take the keys, slipping them into the pocket of my jeans. “I’m glad they were so easy to work with.”
“They got what they wanted here, and now they’re moving on to their next chapter, just like you’re moving into your next chapter.”
It’s been a busy three weeks. We had our pod sent from Eureka, and with everyone’s help, we spent most of November unloading furniture and moving our things between games and practice.
It all fits perfectly, almost like it was meant to be here, my sister observed. I’m doing my best not to get caught up in her vibes and visions, but I have to be honest, between her and the dogs, they’re starting to wear me down.
My realtor wishes us all the best before she leaves, and I walk through the arched doorway into my new chapter. The house is ready to be occupied, and I think about what I want here.
I’m pretty sure it includes someone with bright green eyes, silky rose-gold hair, who smells like cherries. I’m less sure how it will happen or if it can be as quickly as I’d like, but it’s the future I see.
“That is a very serious look on your face.” My sister walks down from the second floor. “What are you thinking about?”
I look up to her. “We should have a housewarming party.”
“When is your next open Friday night?”
I pull out my phone, scrolling through the calendar. “Looks like the end of this week. Is that too soon?”
“Never fear.” My sister waves her finger. “I can make it happen.”
“Here.” I take the keyring from my pocket and give her a key to the house. “Invite everybody. I feel like celebrating.”
“Any particular reason?”
“Yeah.” I nod, my eye catching on the she-shed in the backyard. “A very particular reason.”
Heather bounces over to give me a hug. “Leave it all to me, big brother. I’m so ready for this to happen.”
I don’t say it out loud, but I am, too.
“If you love dancing, this is the place for you.” Maverick reads the email invitation my sister sent everyone. “That’s what I’m talking about. Break in the new place right!”
When he puts it that way, with that Maverick Murphy gleam in his eye, I start to question my decision to have a big party. Maybe we should’ve kept it small.
“We’re not going to trash the place,” I quickly tell him. “We’re just going to have dancing.”
“The last time I danced was in Newhope at my wedding.” Gavin stretches his back against the locker beside me. “The day after I got a lap dance from my father-in-law.”
A laugh barks from my throat, and I pat his shoulder as I push to stand. “I’m not going to lie, my family is crazy, but your family gives them a run for their money.”
“If we’re too crazy, you’re too old!” Mav throws up gang signs, and even Gavin breaks.
“So you coming or what?” I look at the two of them.
“Hell, yeah!” Mav clasps my hand, pulling off his sweaty jersey. “I’ll dress up and everything.”
“We’ll be there,” Gav says. “We just might have to leave a little early with the baby and all.”
“Understood.” I’m happy everyone is coming, and they can stay as long as they want.
I’ll be with Gina.
Grabbing my bag, I head out to my old truck, tossing it in the back and making the drive home. The guys and I usually carpool to the arena for games and practice, but I’ve got to pick up Heather’s order of food and supplies for the party.
It isn’t too much, and I’m back in time to get changed and help set up if needed.
“Finally!” Heather dashes from the kitchen to take the box from my hands. “I need you to grab the ladder and hang these on the tree out front while I get dressed.”
She puts a roll of twinkle lights in my hand and rushes into the kitchen.
“Hey, man, need some help?” Ryan walks out of the door my sister just entered.
He’s wearing bell-bottom jeans and a wide-collared shirt unbuttoned to his stomach. An ivory horn hangs from a chain around his neck.
“That’s some getup.” I pass him the roll of lights. “Get started on these while I change clothes.”
Tables are set up throughout the downstairs living areas, and all the furniture has been moved to the walls. A disco ball has replaced the fixture on the ceiling fan in the great room, and streamers hang over all the windows.
“It looks like Eurovision in here,” I say on my way to my bedroom.
“Look at me, Daddy!” Maddie follows me into my room. “I’m a disco dancer!”
She starts spinning in place, and the long white fringe on her sleeves flies out. She doesn’t stop until she bounces off the side of my bed and falls onto the rug beside Ladybird.
“Whooooa!” she cries, flapping her arms on the way down.
Thankfully the rug has a pretty thick pad underneath it, but the dog rises and lets out a loud Rooo!
She jumps up and hugs Ladybird. “You’re okay, LB!”
I squint an eye at her. “How much sugar have you eaten today, Shortcake?”
Since she started at the neighborhood school, I’m pretty sure they’ve had a party every month. Today was for Thanksgiving, and when she left this morning, she was dressed in all black with a white apron and a little white hat.
“Miss Beanie had Starbursts for everybody and Cissy had Sprees.” She jumps up, flapping her arms so the fringe rises and falls in swirls around her. “And we all had turkeys made of cookies with candy corn tails!”
“That sounds about right.” I put my hand on her shoulder, turning her towards the door. “Go ask Aunt Heather to give you a glass of water, and see if Ladybird wants to walk down and see Spanky.”
“Okay!” she shouts, running out the door at top speed.
Shaking my head, I notice a pair of bootcut jeans and a silky, maroon shirt with a wide collar waiting for me on the bed with a note from Heather that says Wear this.
I showered at the arena after practice to save time, but going by the store has me rushing now. Our guests will start showing up in a little more than an hour.
I step into the pants and pull on the shirt then step in front of the mirror to assess my outfit. Taking out my phone, I send a quick text.
Owen
When did my party get a disco theme?
It only takes a minute for her to reply.
Gina
Heather had it on all the invitations. Didn’t you get one?
Owen
No, but fool me once.
Gina
It’s going to be fun! Just go with it.
Owen
You’re not going to believe the outfit she bought me. I look like Bohemian Rhapsody.
Gina
I look like Roller Girl.
Owen
That’s hot. Are you on skates?
Gina
Too dangerous. I’m on platforms.
Owen
Nice. Come on now. I need to see you.
Gina
Hmmm… since you put it like that…
Owen
Meet you out front.
I notice how tight my pants are across the fly as I start for the door and have to make an adjustment.
In the living room, my sister is wearing a gold-satin bellbottom pantsuit and a long scarf tied around her head. She’s carrying a platter of Jell-O shots, only this time they have candy-corn pumpkins in them.
“Nice.” I nod at her outfit. “I didn’t know we had a theme.”
“Every party needs a theme.” She smiles, circling her finger around my head. “I like the shaggy hair. It’s very disco.”
“I need you to cut it.” I’ve been putting off a haircut since Gina said she liked my ponytail almost a month ago.
“But you have such a nice flow,” Heather teases, walking past me to put the shots on the table. “You look like a real NHL star.”
“Does Maddie know not to eat those?” I point to the Jell-O shots.
“Yes. The ones with pumpkins are for the adults. The ones with nothing are for her. I gave her one when she came down.”
“I told her to drink a glass of water,” I groan. “She’s had so much sugar, we’ll be lucky if she makes it to the party at all.”
“Haddy said she can crash in their guest room tonight with Spanky and LB.”
Twisting my lips, I nod. “That’s not a bad idea.”
My sister heads for the kitchen, and I hurry out the front door just in time to see my two former roommates strutting up the sidewalk.
Gina is sexy in an orange and pink minidress with wide, bell sleeves and a deep V-neck. She’s wearing white platform shoes, and she has Spanky strutting proudly on a leash at her side. Her long hair hangs straight down her back, and glasses with round pink lenses are perched on her nose.
Maverick makes me laugh in his navy leisure suit and teased-out curly-curly blond wig.
“What’s crackin’, Jack?” He points finger-guns at me, and he’s talking like one of the guys from Anchorman.
“You are freakishly authentic.” I jog down to meet them. “I don’t know about this blond wig, though.”
Without thinking or even hesitating, I put my hand around Gina’s waist, pulling her to me and kissing the side of her head.
“Right on.” Mav’s eyebrow arches at my greeting. “I’m going to leave you and see if I can’t find my own foxy lady.”
He flashes a peace sign and struts into the house. Gina puts her hand on my shoulder, smiling up at me. “I think you look hot.”
“I like you in these shoes.” I lean forward to pull her lips with mine. “It’s easier to kiss you.”
A long Rooo! comes from behind me and Spanky lifts his front legs like he’s trying to charge. We look over my shoulder to where Ladybird is peering through the slats in the fence around my backyard.
“I think our dogs have missed each other.” Gina steps out of my arms to walk Spanky to the gate, quickly unfastening the leash and letting him into the backyard.
“I’ve been missing you.” I lean down to sweep her long hair away and kiss the side of her neck. “These out-of-town games are killing me.”
She straightens, putting her arm around my waist and pulling her body against mine. “Me, too.”
“It’s got me thinking about things.” I put my hands on her hips.
“What kind of things?” Her voice lowers, and she studies my mouth.
“Things we should talk about over lunch on Sunday.”
“Are you asking me on a date?”
“Yes.”